Kent Hayward

Kent Hayward is a tenured Associate Professor of Narrative Production in the Department of Cinematic Arts at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), with extensive teaching experience at Loyola-Marymount University, California State University San Bernardino, and El Camino College. Since 2016, he has co-developed international film workshops with Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.

Education:

• BA in Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• MFA in Live-Action Film and Video Production, California Institute of the Arts

Research Focus: Hayward's creative practice spans narrative filmmaking, cinematography, and documentary work, emphasizing memory studies, urban landscapes, and cross-cultural collaboration. His projects frequently integrate experimental techniques with personal storytelling, exploring Los Angeles as both physical and psychological terrain through walking documentaries and intimate character studies.

Creative Output Trends: Recent works like Oceans Across (2017) and In Our Time (2017) reveal a trajectory toward transnational student collaborations and institutional partnerships with museums. His filmography demonstrates consistent engagement with memory preservation—from the deeply personal Homestead Artifact to the Getty Center-commissioned In Our Time—often utilizing documentary formats to examine identity within urban environments.

Mentorship Approach: Hayward actively involves students in professional productions, notably co-creating Oceans Across with CSULB and Hamburg University participants and developing the Lunar Estates web series with current/former students. This hands-on methodology bridges academic training with industry practice through Motion Picture Editors Guild-affiliated workflows.

Professional Ecosystem: His work operates at the intersection of academic film programs, Hollywood production (evidenced by credits on The Dark Knight and Inception), and contemporary art institutions like the Getty Center. The Pacific Standard Time LA/LA initiative exemplifies his integration into major cultural projects that connect cinematic arts with broader artistic movements.